Chapter 31: Chapter Thirty One

Xena's eyes wandered across the dishes spread elegantly on the dining table. Most of them looked foreign, though a few dishes seemed vaguely familiar. The tantalizing aromas filled the air, but she couldn’t focus on them entirely. Her mind was racing. 

Sitting beside her was Viktor, his presence almost suffocating. His expression was stern, devoid of the playful smirks or teasing looks he’d occasionally thrown her way. His posture exuded raw power, and there was an unspoken authority in the room that made her feel small. She noticed the guards stationed nearby—all of them staring at the floor. The weight of his control was palpable. 

She frowned slightly, not that she was complaining. At least those guards weren’t glaring at her. 

As she stared at the spread of food, a plate of pasta was placed in front of her—one of the few Italian meals on the table. She glanced at Viktor, catching him watching her intently. 

“Eat.” he said firmly, his deep voice sending a chill down her spine. “You must be hungry.” 

Xena met his gaze for a fleeting moment before looking away, staring at the plate in front of her. 

“Is it not to your liking?” he asked, his tone even.

She didn’t answer. Instead, she picked up her fork and began to eat slowly, more out of obligation than actual hunger. Viktor’s intense gaze lingered on her for a moment before he returned to his own meal. 

As Xena ate, her eyes wandered. She spotted Zoya and Alina—the two maids Svetlana had introduced to her earlier—standing near the doorway.

They caught her gaze and smiled warmly, trying to comfort her, but she quickly averted her eyes. 

Her mind raced with plans for escape.

*I need to get out of here.* she thought. I *don’t belong in this place.*

Suddenly, she paused mid-bite, her fork hovering in midair.

She could feel Viktor’s gaze on her again. Slowly, she turned her head, and sure enough, he was staring at her with the same unnerving intensity. 

*God, does he ever stop staring?* She shivered slightly, her discomfort evident. 

“Do you want something?” Viktor asked, breaking the silence. 

Xena hesitated for a moment before blurting out, “My phone.” 

Viktor raised an eyebrow. “For what?” 

“What do you mean, ‘for what?’” she shot back, her irritation growing. “I need my phone. I couldn’t find it—” 

“You don’t need—” Viktor began, but she cut him off. 

“I ***need*** it!” she snapped, her voice rising in frustration. “You kidnapped me, threatened me, and dragged me here against my will! I need my phone to call—” 

She didn’t get to finish her sentence. Viktor stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor as he rose. The sudden movement silenced her, and her words caught in her throat. 

Xena froze, her breath hitching as she stared up at him. His expression was dark, his jaw tight with barely contained anger. She’d clearly crossed a line. 

The room fell into an eerie silence. The maids exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale. It was the first time anyone, let alone a woman, had dared to raise their voice at their Don. 

Viktor placed both hands on the table, leaning slightly toward her.

“Do ***not*** raise your voice at me.” he said in a low, threatening tone. His eyes bore into hers, and Xena felt as though she’d been struck by a cold wave. 

Her defiance wavered, and she instinctively shrank back into her chair.

“I just…” she trailed off, her voice trembling. “I just want to call my Nana. She'll be worried about me.” 

Viktor straightened, his imposing figure looming over her.

“Your Nana has been informed that you’re safe.” he said coldly. 

Xena’s jaw dropped. “What? How? What did you tell her?” 

“That’s not your concern.” His tone left no room for argument. 

Anger flared in her chest again, but she swallowed it down, realizing it would do her no good.

“You had no right…” she muttered under her breath, her hands clenching into fists on her lap. 

Viktor’s sharp ears caught her words, and he tilted his head slightly. “What did you say?” 

“Nothing.” she replied quickly, averting her gaze. 

For a moment, he said nothing, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. Then, in a surprisingly calm tone, he added, “Your safety is my responsibility now. You won’t be needing your phone. Everything you require will be provided.” 

Xena glared at him but didn’t respond. What could she say? She was trapped in his world, and every attempt to resist only seemed to push her deeper into his control. 

Viktor resumed his seat, picking up his fork as though nothing had happened. The maids remained still, their eyes downcast, waiting for some sign that it was safe to move. 

Xena sat silently, her appetite gone, her mind spinning with thoughts of escape. This wasn’t just captivity—it was suffocating dominance. And no matter how much Viktor tried to assure her she was “safe.” she felt like she was drowning in his shadow.

♧♧♧

Viktor opened the door and gently pushed Xena inside, closing it behind them with a soft click. His imposing presence filled the room, making the air feel heavier.

“What happened at dinner today.” he began, his voice low and dangerous, “don’t do it again.”

Xena swallowed hard, her nerves betraying her as she nodded quickly. She didn’t dare speak, knowing full well that any word could ignite his volatile temper.

His dark eyes lingered on her for a moment before his lips curved into a smirk.

Without warning, he began unbuttoning his black shirt, his fingers moving with deliberate slowness as he took a step toward her.

The intensity in his gaze was predatory, like a wolf cornering its prey.

Xena’s eyes widened as she watched him, her breath hitching. The fabric slipped off his broad shoulders, revealing a muscular chest that seemed sculpted to perfection.

Each defined ab was like a masterpiece, his torso tapering into a sharp V-shape that disappeared beneath his pants.

*Oh my God.* she thought, her face heating up as her gaze unintentionally lingered on his body. *Why does he look like he’s been carved by the gods?*

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t realize how close he’d gotten. Viktor’s low chuckle snapped her out of her daze.

“You look like you want to eat me alive.” he teased, his voice dripping with amusement.

Xena’s eyes snapped up to meet his, her cheeks burning red with embarrassment. “I-I wasn’t… I wasn’t staring!” she stammered, quickly averting her gaze.

Viktor smirked, his confidence unwavering. “Don’t worry, I’m all yours. You can stare as much as you want.”

Her face hardened into an expression of forced indifference. “No thanks.” she shot back, lifting her chin defiantly. “I’ve seen better.” It was a bold-faced lie, but she refused to give him the satisfaction.

She turned sharply on her heel, intending to put as much distance between them as possible. But before she could take more than a step, Viktor grabbed her arm and yanked her back with enough force to make her gasp. She stumbled slightly, her hands instinctively landing against his bare chest.

“Whose?” he growled, his tone sharp and possessive.

Xena blinked, caught off guard by his sudden fury. “W-what?” she stammered.

“Who’s better?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous as he leaned closer.

She let out a nervous laugh, trying to diffuse the tension. “I-I was just kidding. Ha ha. You know… a joke?”

His hold on her waist tightened, his large hands radiating heat against her skin.

“Don’t ever lie to me.” he warned, his voice hoarse with restrained anger. His face was so close now that she could feel his warm breath against her cheek.

Her heart raced as panic surged through her. “I-i wasn’t lying!” she protested, struggling slightly against his hold.

But her movements had an unintended effect. Her thighs brushed against the hard bulge in his pants, and Viktor hissed sharply, his body tensing.

“Stop moving.” he growled into her ear, his voice rough and strained. “Or I swear, I’ll fuck your brain out right here and now.”

Xena froze instantly, her breath hitching at the raw hunger in his tone. She could feel the tension radiating off him, the way he was barely holding himself back.

Viktor chuckled darkly at her reaction and slowly loosened his grip.

“Good girl.” he murmured, stepping back and giving her some space.

As soon as he let go, Xena staggered back a step, her breathing uneven. Her mind raced, her heart pounding against her ribcage.

Viktor smirked at her disheveled state, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he turned and headed toward the bathroom.